James McClean: Declan Rice overrated and not world class

It was his first appearance on the RTÉ couch during Euro 2024 and James McClean gave a frank assessment on Declan Rice, stating that there is too much hype around the England and Arsenal midfielder.

Of course Rice's name is still a red rag to a bull for some Ireland supporters after he declared for England in 2019, this following a period where he represented Ireland at underage level and played in three friendly games for the senior side.

Rice is now established member of Gareth Southgate's squad and joined Arsenal from West Ham for a fee of £105m (€124m) last summer.

McClean, who was joined by Lisa Fallon and Kevin Doyle as they looked ahead to Wednesday Germany-Hungary clash at the Euros, referred to German attacker Jamal Musiala as a player who "justifies the hype", but then added "but I feel Declan Rice is very overrated".

The Derry native continued: "Don't get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him is completely over the top.

"For me, he’s not world class. To me world class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don’t think he does that.

"I don't think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri. I know Toni Kross is now retiring, but to me Toni Kroos is world class. He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, I don't think Declan Rice does that.

"He's not someone who is going get on the half-turn and play passes forward. He is very good at what he does."

"I think Declan Rice is very overrated" - James McClean does not believe the hype around England's midfielder is justified #EURO2024 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/CGIoXBWWmD

When it was put to McClean by presenter Joanne Cantwell that Rice is a "different type of player" to Rodri and Kroos, the now